Parasocial Interaction Theory

By: Daniel Robinson

What is it?

I will explain!

Parasocial interaction is a one-sided relationship where one person knows a great deal about the other, but that other person knows nothing about them.

If you have ever felt for a character in your favorite movie, television show or book, then you have developed a parasocial interaction.

Here is an Example to help:

WHO USES IT?

It was Invented by Donald Horton and R. Richard Wohl in 1956 as an attempt to address new media being introduced at that point in time.

Well You Should.

We use parasocial Interactions to follow our favorite media performers career just as you would follow your friends and colleagues

IS THAT ALL WHO USE IT?

Businesses also use this theory because when they find out what we feel attracted to or a relationship with they will use that information to better promote their sales.

OF COURSE NOT.

And possibly their plan for World Domination… But who knows

YES, YES IT IS.Parasocial interactions help us understand why we feel the way we do about someone we have never met.

Once you learn what starts a parasocial interaction, you can harness that information and apply it to your everyday communication with people.

Wouldn’t you want to be able to have people develop a one-sided relationship for you as if you were a celebrity?

No more homework

The main criticism about the theory is that there is not enough information to connect parasocial interaction to a behavior change.

People suggest that since there is not enough cognitive information that shows that certain traits trigger a parasocial interaction, then they believe the interaction just develops depending on the person not certain traits being shown by the celebrities.

LET THE CRITICSM BEGIN.

From doing my own research on the theory I have the opinion that there are certain traits that media figures show, which start the parasocial interaction. These traits could include being interesting, nice, funny, and confident. I mean do you have a parasocial interaction

with a boring celebrity?

EXACTLY

DID YOU KNOW…

That you can develop a parasocial interaction with a radio host?

Parasocial interaction can exist between more than just visual communication but through audio as well.

DID YOU KNOW…

People can develop an attachment to athletes as a desire of companionship?

YES, AND ONLY 20 MORE SLIDES TO GO!

Congratulations you have finished learning about Parasocial Interactions, what are you going to do next?

THE PRESENTATION HAS ENDED… YOU ARE FREE TO NETLIX